And on Tuesday, it will officially launch its new Mitsubishi dealership in Coopies Way, Morpeth.

The expansion has led to the creation of five jobs, while three existing members of staff are moving into the Morpeth office.

The aim is to increase the number of jobs and the company would like to take on apprentices in the summer if the business grows quickly enough.

Dealer principal William Blackshaw, who is the fourth generation of Blackshaws to be involved with the franchised car-dealer – which started in 1919, said: “From a business point of view, this will help us to grow and from a personal point of view, it has always been an ambition of mine to open something myself.

“Getting to this point and opening in Morpeth has been a three-year project. I am lucky to have great staff who have kept Alnwick running while I have been focusing on this and I have had great support from family and friends.”